The first time many families see cremated remains, the word “ashes” can feel misleading. You may be expecting something like fireplace ash—soft and fluffy—and instead you’re handed a container that’s heavier than you thought, filled with a pale, sand-like material. That’s why you’ll often hear funeral professionals use the term cremains (short for cremated remains). If you’re asking what are cremation ashes made of or what are cremains, the reassuring answer is that the science is simple, and the variations you notice are normal.
In this guide, we’ll explain what cremated remains actually are, why cremation ashes color and texture vary, and how to handle and store cremains safely. Then we’ll walk through the basics of ashes to diamonds—how memorial diamonds are made, how much material is typically needed, what cremation diamond cost can look like, and what to consider when you’re choosing a provider.
If you want a Funeral.com companion read on this same topic, you can also see What Are Human Ashes, Really? and the related memorial diamond guide Turning Ashes Into Diamonds: How It Works.
What Cremation “Ashes” Actually Are
When a body is cremated, soft tissues are consumed by heat. What remains is primarily bone material that has been processed into fragments and then refined. The Cremation Association of North America explains it plainly: the bone fragments that remain are “mostly calcium phosphates” with some minor minerals, and cremated remains are generally white to gray in color. They also note that metal (from implants or other sources) may be present initially and is separated before the remains are processed (pulverized). That is the core of cremated remains composition: mostly mineral bone material, not “burned wood ash.”
This mineral reality is why cremains feel heavier than people expect. CANA also notes that the average weight of adult cremated remains is commonly between four and six pounds. Even when the container looks compact, the contents are dense because bone mineral is dense.
Why Cremation Ashes Color and Texture Can Vary
Families often worry that variation in color means something went wrong. In most cases, it doesn’t. The normal range includes off-white, pale gray, and light tan tones. CANA notes that cremated remains are generally white to gray, and the “grit” can vary depending on how thoroughly the remains are processed and on natural differences in bone structure.
Texture differences are also common because cremains are processed bone fragments, not a uniform powder manufactured to a single standard. Some crematories produce a finer, more consistent “sand,” while others may return a slightly coarser texture. Neither is inherently “better.” It’s simply an output of equipment and process.
One more practical point: because metal can be present before processing (implants, dental work, or hardware), crematories typically separate metal before final processing. That is another reason the process is controlled and documented, and why cremated remains can look slightly different from case to case.
Are Cremation Ashes Sterile?
This is one of the most common safety questions: are cremation ashes sterile? In general, yes, cremated remains are widely considered sterile because cremation involves incineration-range temperatures. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “cremated remains can be considered sterile,” noting that even the infectious agent associated with CJD does not survive incineration-range temperatures.
That said, “sterile” doesn’t mean “treat casually.” Cremains are a fine mineral material. The most realistic handling goal is to prevent spills and avoid breathing dust, especially if you’re transferring remains from a temporary container into an urn.
How to Handle and Store Cremains Safely
Most families handle cremains at home with no issues. A few practical habits keep the process calm and respectful.
- Choose a stable surface and work slowly, especially if you’re opening a temporary container or an urn for transfer.
- If dust is present, avoid creating airflow that stirs it up. The goal is not fear—just preventing irritation from fine mineral particles.
- Keep the remains dry and securely closed. Moisture doesn’t make cremains “go bad,” but it can clump material and complicate transfer.
If you’re planning to keep ashes at home (even temporarily while the family decides what’s next), Funeral.com’s guide keeping ashes at home covers safe placement, display ideas, and the practical questions families tend to carry quietly.
Choosing the right container is also part of safety. Many families start by browsing cremation urns for ashes and then add smaller options if they’re sharing among relatives. For sharing, keepsake urns are designed for small portions, while cremation jewelry (including cremation necklaces) is designed for a tiny, symbolic amount. If jewelry is part of your plan, this practical guide helps families fill and seal pieces safely: Cremation Jewelry 101.
From Cremains to Memorial Diamonds
Once families understand what cremains are made of—mostly mineral bone material—the next question about diamonds becomes clearer. Turning ashes into a diamond does not mean the entire volume of cremated remains becomes a gemstone. Instead, most memorial diamond processes involve extracting carbon (from ashes or hair), purifying it, and using it as part of a laboratory-grown diamond process.
That’s why you’ll see the industry described as ashes to diamonds and also “hair to diamonds.” Carbon is the key ingredient for a diamond crystal, and providers focus on isolating and using memorial carbon according to their process.
How the Ashes-to-Diamond Process Works
While each company has its own method and documentation approach, the process typically follows a similar arc: carbon extraction and purification, diamond growth, and then cutting/polishing (and optionally setting into jewelry).
Carbon extraction and purification. A provider receives a portion of cremains (or hair), then isolates and purifies carbon. This is also where chain-of-custody, labeling, and unused-material policies matter. Some providers emphasize documentation and traceability as part of the service experience.
Diamond growth (HPHT or CVD). Lab-grown diamonds are commonly produced using two main technologies: HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition). The Gemological Institute of America explains that HPHT produces synthetic diamonds from carbon material in equipment that mimics natural diamond formation conditions, while CVD grows diamond from carbon-containing gas in a controlled chamber.
Many memorial diamond providers describe using HPHT equipment. For example, Eterneva’s overview describes placing the growth cell into an HPHT machine, and Algordanza describes extracting carbon and growing a memorial diamond using HPHT presses.
Cutting, polishing, and documentation. After growth, the diamond is typically cut and polished to a chosen shape, and many providers offer documentation packages. If independent grading or verification is important to your family, ask what reports are available and who issues them.
How Much Material Is Needed to Turn Ashes Into Diamonds?
This is where families most often feel anxiety: how much do we need to send, and what happens to the rest? The reassuring truth is that requirements vary by provider—and those differences are worth understanding, not ignoring.
As one concrete example, Eterneva states that cremated ashes contain carbon after cremation (they cite roughly 1–4% carbon, largely in the form of carbonates) and says they can extract enough carbon from about “½ a cup of ashes” to create multiple diamonds depending on the order.
Other providers require much more material. Algordanza states that, as a rule, 1 lb (about 500 grams) of ashes is sufficient to ensure creation of a memorial diamond, and they explicitly warn that companies requiring less may be adding generic carbon.
You don’t need to decide who is “right” to plan responsibly. You simply need to ask the provider, in writing, what they require for your desired size and whether they use only memorial carbon or may supplement with non-memorial carbon. If this question feels emotionally loaded, it can help to build a layered plan first—keep the majority of cremains in a home urn, share small portions with family if needed, and send only what you’re comfortable sending for the memorial diamond.
Memorial Diamond Cost: What to Expect
Cremation diamond cost varies widely, largely based on the finished diamond’s size (carat), cut, color, and any included setting or certification. Providers’ published prices shift over time, but you can still use published starting points to understand the scale.
For example, Eterneva publishes a “starting diamond size and price” of 0.25 ct for $3.5k and shows smaller sizes starting around $1k (with additional notes about delivery timelines and what’s included). A different provider, EverDear, publishes a price table that includes smaller stones in the low-thousands and larger stones rising substantially as carat size increases.
The practical way to interpret these numbers is not “pick the cheapest.” It’s to ask what is included. A quote may or may not include the setting, shipping kit, return of unused material, an independent report, insurance options, or customer support over many months. If a price seems dramatically lower than others, ask what’s omitted, not just what’s promised.
How Long Does It Take to Turn Ashes Into a Diamond?
Families are often surprised that this is a months-long process, not a weeks-long process. Providers commonly describe timelines in the range of roughly 6 to 12 months, depending on the diamond’s specifications and production queue. For example, Eterneva states their process averages 7–12 months, and LONITÉ describes 6–9 months (noting variation by size and color).
If speed matters to your family, ask the provider what their current timeline is, what “expedited” means (if offered), and whether timeline differs by color or cut. It’s also fair to ask how updates are provided during the process, because waiting can be emotionally harder than people anticipate.
What to Consider When Choosing a Memorial Diamond Provider
When someone searches buy memorial diamond, what they usually want is trust. You’re not buying a commodity; you’re choosing a process that involves irreplaceable material. A few questions can protect your family without turning the decision into an investigation.
- Material requirement and carbon policy. How much cremains (or hair) is required for your chosen size? Do they use only memorial carbon, or might they supplement with non-memorial carbon?
- Chain of custody and documentation. How is your sample tracked from intake to completion, and what documentation is provided?
- Technology used. Do they use HPHT, CVD, or both? Can they explain it in plain language? For reference, GIA explains both HPHT and CVD growth methods.
- Independent reporting and identification. If you want third-party documentation, ask what lab reports or inscriptions are available and who issues them.
- Pricing transparency. What is included in the price (diamond only vs setting included, shipping kit, certification, insurance options), and what is optional?
- Unused material policy. What happens to unused ashes or hair, and can any unused portion be returned?
If your family wants a more grounded overview of these comparison points (including cost and material requirements), Funeral.com’s guide Turning Ashes Into Diamonds: How It Works walks through the most common decision points in a calm, non-salesy way.
Keeping the Bigger Plan Gentle and Practical
It’s easy to feel like memorial diamonds require an “all or nothing” decision. They don’t. Many families feel calmer when they first choose a stable home for the majority of the remains—often through cremation urns—and then decide whether to allocate a portion for jewelry, keepsakes, scattering, or a diamond later.
If multiple people want a physical connection, keepsake urns can support sharing without forcing one person to be the sole “keeper.” If someone wants a portable reminder, keepsake jewelry from ashes is designed for tiny amounts, and Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 covers filling and sealing in a spill-minimizing way.
And if you’re not ready to decide any of this immediately, that’s normal. Many families keep cremains at home for weeks or months while they plan. If you need reassurance about legality, storage, and how to protect the urn in a real household, start with keeping ashes at home.
A Clear Bottom Line
So, what are cremation ashes made of? Cremains are primarily processed bone mineral—mostly calcium phosphates with minor minerals—so they behave like a fine, dense mineral material, not like fireplace ash. Color and texture vary naturally, and cremated remains are generally considered sterile because incineration-range temperatures destroy infectious agents.
Turning ashes into a memorial diamond is a separate, highly specialized process. Providers typically isolate carbon from ashes or hair, then grow a lab diamond using methods like HPHT or CVD (both described by GIA), with timelines often measured in months. Material requirements and costs vary widely across providers, which is why asking clear questions about carbon policy, documentation, pricing, and timelines is the kindest way to protect your family’s peace of mind.
